The Greater Good?

The Greater Good?

 I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the compulsion throughout my entire life that I needed to do something to contribute to the “greater good” of mankind.  The term “greater good” is defined in different ways, but I’ve always defined the “greater good” as contributing or doing something for others that is greater than your own selfish or personal interest. 

Lately, with the arrival of full retirement, diminished health, and the fact that that age separation has moved me to the fringe of active participation in much of life’s dynamics, I’m wondering more and more about my life-long “greater good” compulsion. 

I cannot remember ever being taught that this was something I was supposed to do, but somehow this compulsion became a part of my very being.  My grandmother raised me, she was a “working person and a giving person” who really didn’t have much to give in the way of material things.  My mother was my friend and support during childhood; she too, was a giving person who would give someone her last dollar.  So maybe this is where I got this idea of doing things for the “greater good” of society.

My grandmother and mother were always doing something to help others; taking food, doing church mission work, helping with children’s ministries, teaching Sunday School, taking old folks places they couldn’t drive themselves, picking up hitchhikers, visiting the sick, and of course, giving financially to our church and benevolent causes.

During my 38 year career in public and private education I always felt I was doing something that was greater than myself;  helping kids learn things that would benefit their personal life and make life better, coping with bad homes or poor parenting and helping kids to ultimately make positive contributions to society.

 My concept of “greater good” included a commitment to a local church.  Throughout my adult life, wherever I found myself, Florida, North Carolina, and Tennessee, I’ve always been involved in teaching Sunday School classes to kids and adults, mission outreach ministry, serving on committees, serving as a deacon, and of course, giving financially to support the church.

This “greater good” compulsion even carried over to my community where I felt compelled to engage in a parallel universe from church and school, the business community.  I’d been an individual member of the Chamber of Commerce for many years, but became deeply engaged in its efforts, serving on the Board of Directors, serving as president, spearheading efforts to serve the community’s needs and promote economic development.  Servant leadership was not just a catch phrase, but I believed in it and actively engaged in the Chamber’s adult leadership program and youth leadership programs for many years. 

After retirement, I still felt compelled to engage in the “greater good” for our community by running for an elected office.  I’d felt that it was something I needed to do and was encouraged by friends to do so, but initially denied “the call” to do it.  Despite my denial, three years after retirement the feeling returned and I ultimately campaigned, and won one of the commission seats in my district.  Serving on the County Commission one year and serving for three years as Commission Chairman was probably the most demanding thing I’ve ever done in my life. 

Serving in an elected office was a learning experience and I found trying to serve for the “greater good”  a most challenging thing.  In the political arena, the “greater good” and its alter ego “self service” cross swords every day.  For those elected officials who truly strive to serve the “greater good” there are no words to really describe the personal effort it takes to make decisions for the “greater good” because everyone thinks their side is the “greater good.”

So here I am, out of the loop, looking at those younger folks still in the arena of life and wondering if my life-long compulsion to serve the “greater good” was worth a Tinker’s dam.   You know, worthless or insignificant.

Boy, this line of thinking is a downhill slide and I’m picking up speed.  The pull of negative thoughts can really put you in a hole.  But wait, maybe the “greater good” concept was just the lubricant that's helped me on my journey. 

I’ve always believed that life is simply a journey.  The destination is important, but it is often the journey that brings meaning and enjoyment.  I bet you’ve had the same experience.  You plan a trip, make the trip, see the sights, enjoy the destination; only to arrive back home and feel a little let down. 

That may be where I am at this point in my life.  I’ve been on a journey for these 70+ years, motivated by the “greater good” lubricant of life and I’ve really enjoyed it.  Now, as I’ve sorta arrived back home, the major part of my life journey is over and I feel a little let down.

There is a quote that goes something like, “Don’t forget what happened, but understand that you cannot move forward while looking backwards.”  Guess that is where I am today.  The journey is not over until it’s over and it ain’t over yet, so I need to quit looking backwards and look forward.

I’m reminded of a story that came out of WW II.  The Allied forces were moving into France, village by village, town by town, driving the German forces inland.  As the Allied troops approached one small village an old French grandma came out of her house, holding a broom high above her head and waving it at the retreating German forces.  One of the passing G.I.s said to her, “Go back inside old lady, you can’t do anything with just a broom.”  To which she replied, “No I can’t, but I can show which side I’m on!”

Even though I don’t really understand what the “greater good” fully means, I do think I know which side I’m on.   I think I’ll just keep plugging ahead with that same life lubricant.  You gotta grease the skids with something and the “greater good” has kept me moving forward thus far.

Now, let’s ramble!